WCP208

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Feb^y. 1st. 1890¹

My dear Violet²

I have not written because I have nothing to tell, & because you tell us next to nothing. You never told us what you thought of "the North" — or any thing or body you saw in Liverpool except a "corn-warehouse". Did you see Mr. Higgins,³ or Prof. Lodge,⁴ or anybody I knew, — & where did you go & what do all that fortnight !!!!

We are muddling on with workmen as usual & very [2] little done — On Friday night a flood rushed into the back entrance across the kitchen floor to the back passage & largder, and left a rich deposit of alluvial mud — quite a study in geological formations! The bath-room is at length finished, all but staining & varnishing, & it will look so snug you will want to bathe every day and all day long, while William⁵ will perpetually wash in the new basin with hot and cold water laid on. The new stained glass in the swing door looks rich [3] and the vista from the front right through to the bath room window is quite palatial.

My lecture is not to come off, as Mr. Stainton Moses⁶ was ill & could not make the arrangements in time, before the "Arena" article⁷ would appear in February.

I hope you are getting to feel right and comfortable now with Madame. It is very nice for you to go to Harrow every morning as it gives you a little exercise & fresh air. I send you some Zoo. tickets for two next Sunday & 4 others in case any of you like to go.

[4] A lady has come to live near the Sandbanks who has two kids & is kinder-garten mad! so you can call & see her & compare notes in your next holidays. Your watch has not come back yet, but I will enquire for it soon.

Have you heard of the death of old Hampden,⁸ — & of a better man Bradlaugh!⁹

Farewell | Your affectionate Papa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]